World Sight Day (WSD) is held every year on the second Thursday in October – this year it’s taking place on the 10th. This health awareness day is organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and aims to “focus attention on the global issue of eye health.”

Why is WSD so important?
According to the IAPB, there are 253 million people worldwide who are blind or have moderate or severe distance vision impairment (MSVI).They also state that of this number, 124 million have uncorrected refractive errors and 65 million have cataract – which means that approximately 75% of all blindness and MSVI is avoidable.

Have you had a recent eye exam?
One of the most important steps in good eye care is to have regular comprehensive eye exams. If you haven’t had one in the past few years, now’s the time to book an appointment. The South African Optometric Association (SAOA) recommends the following eye exam schedule:

Under 16 years old – every year
16 to 59 years old – every two years
40 and over with a close family history of glaucoma – every year
60 and over – every year
If you are diabetic or have glaucoma or ocular hypertension – every year

What else can you do?
According to the IAPB, the eyes show “an age related decline in performance” from about 40 onwards. And while ageing is an inevitable part of life, there are steps you can take to look after your eyes. St John, an international charity with eye care clinics throughout South Africa, offers the following eye care tips:

• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking
• Wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB rays when outdoors
• Wear safety goggles when working with hazardous materials or tools
• Take regular breaks away from your TV, PC or phone screens – and remember to blink
• Make regular, annual visits to your eye doctor